Mikel Arteta will face a selection headache when Arsenal travel to Mansfield Town for their FA Cup fifth-round tie this weekend, with the League One club's pitch described as a 'tricky surface' after heavy rainfall.
The playing surface at the 9,000-capacity Field Mill stadium has been heavily criticised following Mansfield's 2-2 draw with AFC Wimbledon on Saturday. Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson said the conditions were 'physically tough' and 'not great', adding that the pitch was 'really hard to play on'.
Further rain is forecast this week, which could worsen the muddy patches already visible on the pitch. Scout Alan Randall warned: 'It's the pitch that will cause the issues. Any more heavy rain and Arteta will have to seriously consider his line-up.'
Arsenal are chasing glory in four competitions, with a Premier League trip to Brighton on Wednesday and a Champions League last-16 tie at Bayer Leverkusen the following week. Arteta is expected to rotate his squad, potentially resting key stars and fielding the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Gabriel Jesus.
Mansfield, managed by Nigel Clough, have already knocked out Sheffield United and Premier League Burnley in previous rounds, both away from home. The tie will be broadcast live on Saturday lunchtime, evoking memories of Arsenal's famous FA Cup defeats at York City in 1985 and Wrexham in 1992.
Arteta must decide whether to risk his big-name players on a heavy, bare pitch that could hinder their ability to showcase their talents. The Gunners will need to balance the desire for cup progression with the demands of a packed fixture list.
